Prosecutors are seeking to obtain DNA from accused Long Island serial killer Rex Heuermann, who stands accused of murdering three women and dumping their bodies at New York’s Gilgo Beach.
According to CNN, the Suffolk County DA’s office submitted a request to swab Heuermann’s cheek for DNA, a spokesperson told the outlet Thursday. An attorney for Asa Ellerup (Heuermann’s wife) also told CNN Thursday that the prosecution and investigators haven’t his client for DNA samples.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, Heuermann was arrested on July 13 for the deaths of three of the four women known collectively as the “Gilgo Four.” The bodies were found within days of each other on Gilgo Beach in December 2010. All four women were buried in burlap sacks.
Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27; and is the prime suspect in the death of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Heuermann pleaded not guilty during his arraignment.
“There is nothing about Mr. Heuermann that would suggest that he is involved in these incidents,” his lawyer, Michael J. Brown, previously said.
Prosecutors, however, handed over around “100 hours of surveillance video” to the court Monday, taken outside of the defendant’s Massapequa Park home prior to his arrest. They also handed over around 8 terabytes of evidence, which equaled around “2,500 pages of records.”
“You’re talking about 13 years of investigation,” Suffolk DA Raymond Tierney told reporters at the Suffolk County court on Monday. “It’s a massive amount of material.”
Meanwhile, Heuermann remains behind bars at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility without bail. Suffolk County Sheriff Errol Toulon said Heuermann is in an isolated cell alone and appears to be “comfortable.”
“He’s in the cell by himself, he’s receiving all the services that any other person who’s incarcerated will receive,” Toulon previously told WCBS 880.
“It seems like he’s very comfortable in his cell and his surroundings. He’s indicated to my staff that he would not be any issue to us and would be extremely compliant, so we’ll see how that plays out in the days and weeks ahead.”
Check back for updates.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.
[Feature Photo: Rex A. Heuermann, the architect accused of murdering at least three women near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach, appears before Judge Timothy P. Mazzei in Suffolk County Court, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Riverhead, N.Y. (James Carbone/Newsday via AP, Pool)]
